List Review and Revision - ESTACs

To assist with the review and revision of the Illinois List, the Board has established Endangered Species Technical Advisory Committees (ESTACs) comprising individuals with expertise in the following taxonomic groups: plants, mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles, fish, terrestrial invertebrates, and aquatic invertebrates. During the list revision process, the ESTACs convene to review available data on listed species and discuss additional species for which listing may be warranted. The committees vote on recommendations for changes to the List and members submit petitions to the Board in support of these recommendations. The ESTACs are also available to advise the Board on endangered and threatened species issues, such as conservation measures and research needs.

The composition of the ESTACs will be reviewed at the beginning of each list revision. Anyone who wishes to be considered as an ESTAC member may contact the Board at dnr.espb@illinois.gov. The request should include the name of the specific ESTAC, a statement explaining the interest in serving, and a resume or curriculum vitae, if available.

2025 Review and Revision of the Illinois List of Endangered and Threatened Species

The appointment of ESTAC members for the 2025 revision process was approved by the Board at the following meetings: Mammal, Avian, Amphibian/Reptile, Fish, and Aquatic Invertebrate ESTACs, 194th meeting; Terrestrial Invertebrate and Plant ESTACs, 195th meeting. Members were added to the Amphibian/Reptile, Fish, and Aquatic Invertebrate ESTACs at the 195th meeting and additional members of the Terrestrial Invertebrate and Plant ESTACs were approved at the 196th meeting.

The following table includes agendas and minutes for all ESTAC meetings during the 2025 list review and revision. Because of the large number of listed plant species, the Plant ESTAC holds regional meetings to discuss plants of northern, central and western, and southern Illinois. Individuals with local botanical expertise are invited to attend the regional meetings.

2020 Review and Revision of the Illinois List of Endangered and Threatened Species

The appointment of ESTAC members for the 2020 revision process was approved by the Board at the following meetings: Avian ESTAC, 170th meeting; Fish and Amphibian/Reptile ESTACs, 172nd meeting; Terrestrial and Aquatic Invertebrate ESTACs, 173th meeting; Mammal ESTAC, 174th meeting; Plant ESTAC, 176th meeting.

The following table includes agendas and minutes for all ESTAC meetings during the 2020 list review and revision. Because of the large number of listed plant species, the Plant ESTAC held regional meetings to discuss plants of northern, central and western, and southern Illinois. Individuals with local botanical expertise were invited to attend the regional meetings.

*ESTACs are not public bodies that make policy decisions; these minutes were approved by the ESPB.